Zarina Diyas defeats Christina McHale to reach final in Japan

Defending champion Christina McHale of the United States advanced to the semifinals of the Japan Women’s Open by beating third-seeded Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-4, 6-1 on Friday.

McHale took charge in the second set, serving well and having an upper hand on the return as well, breaking her rival thrice for a 6-0, closing the set with a service victor and she was the favorite in the decider.

Hsieh was playing qualifying rounds at the WTA Premier Tournament Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, where she defeated Japan’s Akiko Omae 6-1, 6-2.

World number 100 Diyas continued her fine form in the competition as she came from behind to beat eighth seed and fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 4-6 6-1 6-3. “I served better in the second set and pulled it out”.

She will now meet Miyu Kato, who delighted the home crowd in Tokyo by edging past Jana Fett in a hard-fought encounter.